Winnipeg, Manitoba - That was quick. Couple of kicks in an NFL camp and a solid contract offer.

Jon Ryan, who set a CFL record for punting average (50.6 yards) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last season, worked out for the Green Bay Packers Monday morning and left town with an offer that included a $10,000 US signing bonus, he confirmed from Phoenix, Ari., yesterday.

"They made me the offer right after my workout," said Ryan, 25. "It showed that I impressed them a little bit at least. To get offered a contract so quickly means they think I'm an NFL type of punter anyway."

Ryan, however, was in no rush to ink the pact, as he has another workout scheduled with the Cincinnati Bengals tomorrow.

Although both the New York Giants and Washington Redskins are also reportedly interested, no other workouts have been scheduled, Ryan said.

"My agent, Gil Scott, has been talking to other teams, but nothing has been lined up," he said. "(Scott) told them (Packers) that he would talk to them again on Friday after my workout in Cincy."

Scott has not returned messages left Monday.

While some may deem Green Bay's offer relatively low, Ryan said there is at least a legitimate opening there next season.

"Green Bay told me the position next year was going to be wide open," said the 6-foot, 220-pound Regina native. "So, even if it's not a large signing bonus, at least I'd be competing for an open spot and not against an established veteran."

The Packers have apparently soured on punter B.J. Sander.

If, for some reason, Ryan should decide to pass on the NFL, he will become a CFL free agent in mid-February. He remains Bomber property until then.

The Bombers have left a lucrative offer on the table for Ryan. However, speculation has already started in Regina that the Bombers may be interested in punter/placekicker Paul McCallum, who is also about to become a free agent, should they lose Ryan.

Vancouver, BC (Nov. 25, 2005) - The Canadian Football League announced Friday the final selections for 2005 CFL All-Stars.

These all-stars were chosen by 45 voting members of the Football Reporters of
Canada representing each CFL market, a national chapter of FRC voters and each of the CFL head coaches.

Voters were asked to select players from the League whom they believed to excel at their position for the duration of the 2005 CFL regular season.

Please note: awards were tallied based on 58 of 63 respondents who submitted their
selections by ballot deadline.

The 2005 CFL All-Stars Include:

Special Teams

K - Sandro DeAngelis - CGY

P - Jon Ryan - WPG

ST - Corey Holmes - SSK

.....and so on....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE â€“ Nov. 10, 2005

WINNIPEG, MB â€“ The Winnipeg Blue Bombers placed four players on the 2005 CFL West Division All-Star Team, which was announced earlier today.

The four Bomber selections include running back Charles Roberts and slotback Milt Stegall on offence, defensive end Gavin Walls on defence and punter Jon Ryan on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMSRyan sent shivers down the spines of opposing special teams players and coaches every time he stepped onto the field. He led the league in gross punting yards (5,967) and gross punting average (50.6 yards), the latter of which set a new CFL standard. Ryan also led all punters in net punting yards (4,997) and net punting average (42.3 yards).

All-star selections were made by members of the Football Reporters of Canada from each CFL market, a national chapter of FRC voters and each of the CFL head coaches.

This guy plays for my hometown CFL team and he is an outstanding punter (and believe me, he can kick in the cold and in the wind). October and November games are often in single digits Fahrenheit and Winnipeg is is probably the windiest city in Canada and has a stadium design similar to Ohio State's horsehoe.

We traded our 4th and 5th round pick for the third we used to select Sander (I was hoping that we were moving up for Schaub when we made the trade).

That makes it offical....BJ Sander was a wasted third round draft choice. Wonder who we could have got with that pick????

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No sense in crying over spilt milk. All that is history.
At least it looks like we are moving in a positive direction in that regard.
I wonder if he can kickoff and or hold for field goals.
His stats are impressive but then Canadian football is a whole different ballgame.
Ten grand ain't much of an initial offer, doesn't even sound serious.

I'm tellin ya guys, Ryan's a best. We have season tickets here in Winnipeg to go to games, and he definately has an NFL leg. He could probably out kick most NFL punters....the only thing he needs to work on is getting the punts off quicker, and possibly hang time b/c in the NFL thats very important. Leg strength wise though, absolutely no problem there. 8)

Packers always bring a a least one or two punters every year to compete with the regular punter into Training Camp. This is nothing unusal. last year Bryce Benekos and one other punter were in Packer training Camp. You knowlegeable Packer fan should know this, if you follow Packer fans follow Packer football closely. That is what Training camp is about. The Packers bring in many players into Training camp , take a look at them and see if they find a good player or players in the group that is a" keeper". I image this year, they will have a few Field goal kickers trying out and some in training camp this year.Unless they can sign Longwell early . Presently Ryan is a free agent and is not a "sure thing" to return .. Last year no Fg kickers was brought in to compete with Longwell.

Packers always bring a a least one or two punters every year to compete with the regular punter into Training Camp. This is nothing unusal. last year Bryce Benekos and one other punter were in Packer training Camp. You knowlegeable Packer fan should know this, if you follow Packer fans follow Packer football closely. That is what Training camp is about. The Packers bring in many players into Training camp , take a look at them and see if they find a good player or players in the group that is a" keeper". I image this year, they will have a few Field goal kickers trying out and some in training camp this year.Unless they can sign Longwell early . Presently Ryan is a free agent and is not a "sure thing" to return .. Last year no Fg kickers was brought in to compete with Longwell.

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Kickers . Punters and QB's are brought in for the simple purpose of an extra leg or arm for practice. Just as Ryan Longwell when he came to GB however with him, as we all know go the starting job because conway got injured and Longwell proved to be worth more than just a 'camp leg' .

Packers always bring a a least one or two punters every year to compete with the regular punter into Training Camp. This is nothing unusal. last year Bryce Benekos and one other punter were in Packer training Camp. You knowlegeable Packer fan should know this, if you follow Packer fans follow Packer football closely. That is what Training camp is about. The Packers bring in many players into Training camp , take a look at them and see if they find a good player or players in the group that is a" keeper". I image this year, they will have a few Field goal kickers trying out and some in training camp this year.Unless they can sign Longwell early . Presently Ryan is a free agent and is not a "sure thing" to return .. Last year no Fg kickers was brought in to compete with Longwell.

You can't post this,it makes to much sense.

Oh but let us not forget that Sander was a pick of "The Evil Mike Sherman" it doesn't matter how he did, Mike Sherman never made a right move in all the years that he coached The Packers!!!

Because Mike Sherman picked Sander as his 3rd pick in the 3rd round, 2 years ago, we went 4-12 last year.

I am not going to post Sander's number again, I did it a few weeks ago, bottom line, his net average could have been a little better, but teams averaged less then 6yds per return for the year and not one punt last year had any effect on the outcome of any game.

But hey, get rid of him just like some on this forum want to purge the team of any player Mike Sherman had anything to do with bringing in.

This is TT's team, he was in control of player personal last year, 4-12, looks like a successful formula to keep following.

Longwell wil be one of the many who won't be back, then all the TT worshipers can be happy!!!!